Excavating apparatus.



0.,L. HOPKINS.

EXOAVATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION EILED JAN. 27, 1909 Patented July 5, 1910.

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S m E W W 0'. L. HOPKINS. EXGAVATING APPARATUS.

APPLIOAflION PILEDJAN-Z'L 1909. 7 9 3,5 2,. Patented July 5, 1910.

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- Allorney UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES L. HOPKINS, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

EXCAVATING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 5, 1910.

Application filed January 27, 1909. Serial No. 474,535-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES L. HOPKINS, a citizen of the United .States,residing at New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State ofLouisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inExcavating Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact destruction of earth embankments such as levees,dikes, dams or similar structures, or for grading purposes and also anykind of excavation work where ground is to be made at opposite ends ofthe run of the scoop.

A general object of the invention is to provide a practicable systemincluding a scoop or scraper in connection with oppositely-operatedcables whereby the scraper can be loaded and transported by hauling itin one-direction and unloaded and returned by hauling it in the oppositedirection..

A more particular object isto provide, in conjunction with acable-transported scoop or receptacle, positive load-discharging meanstherefor operated by the cables, whereby the loaded scoop can be drawnto the dumping lace and its load pushed or scraped theref foin and thescoop returned to the loading place while'maintaining its uprightposition throughout its operations.

Another object is to provide an improved scoop or scraper, or what maybe termed an excavating and transporting receptacle, particularlyadapted for. the carrying out of the foregoing functions.

A further object is to provide a scoop that will load itself when drawneither forward or backward; and by means of which the earth can bescooped and transported by both runs of the scoop, and the excavationeconomically carried on between opposite embankments or dumping orunloading places.

The invention stated in general terms comprehends an improved receptacleor scoop, and further a positive load-ejecting or discharging means inthe form of a tail-gate slidably mounted in the receptacle, or in lieuof such tail-gate a cable-actuated shovelscrape to be used at the placeof unloading. The load is ejected or pushed out of the scoop by haulingthe same backward while its tail-gate or the shovel-scrape is heldstationary, or by hauling the tailgate or shovel-scrape for-ward in thescoop while the latter is restrained.

The invention comprehends further a scoop having an adjustable front andan adjustable rear constituting opposite and similar cutting-ends,whereby the scoop will be self-loading when drawn or hauled in eitherdirection with its advancing cuttingend depressed; while the saidcutting-ends when raised will enable the scoop to glide freely andunimpeded over the ground both to the place of unloading and back to theplace of loading.

The invention also contemplates the equipment of the scoop with bailsfor attachment of the draft cables and for controlling the position ofthe scoop in its opposite runs.

' In the accompanying drawings, the invention is illustrated in itsapplication to the construction of an earth embankment of the leveetype. The material generally used to form a levee is the alluvial soildeposited along a river. Dry soil of this character can be readilydischarged from a receptacle by merely dumping it, but when wet the soilsticks like putty to the scoop and thus resists discharge, causing aloss of time and of money in the construction work. By the use of thesliding tail-gate, or the cable-operated shovel-scrape, the load ispositively ejected or pushed or scraped out of the scoop, and hencewhether wet or dry the soil can be unloaded with despatch and with aconsequent savingof time and reduction of operating expenses.

Referring to the drawings, which are to be taken as a part of thisspecification: Figure l is a perspective view of a scoop embodying theinvention and shown with one cutting-end in depressed position. Fig. 2is a vertical longitudinal section of the scoop showing bothcutting-ends raised. Fig. 3

is a view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating the manner of ejecting theload by a relative movement of the tail-gate and scoop. Fig. 4 is adetail perspective view of the sliding tail-gate. Fig. 5 is a detailperspective of the shovel-scrape employed in lieu of the tail-gate. Fig.6 is an elevation showing the shovel-scrape provided with ahandledirecting its movements.

A denotes the scoop or scraper adapted to be hauled back and forth bythe draft cables B and C which are alternately pulled in oppositedirect-ions by any suitable powercontrolled mechanism such as a drum ordrums adapted to wind one .cable while letting out the other. Apracticable cable and power system that may be used in this connectionis set forth in my other application, Serial No. 474,534, of even dateherewith for apparatus of -a similar character. The attachments of thecables B and C to the scoopare or may be by means of bails b and 0pivotally-connected to the opposite ends of the scoop and preferablynear its bottom, the cables are detachable from the respective bails,being provided with hooks engaging eyes in the bails. the pivotalattachment of the bails at the opposite ends of the scoop, the latter isby the restraining effect of the rear cable prevented from possibletilting or overturning forward under pull of the forward-draft cablewhen loading.

The scoop A is an open-topped and preferably elongated receptacle withlongitudinal sides and open at both ends. Its sides are preferablyextended beyond the bottom at each end, such extensions having inclinededges 41 which slope upwardly from the bottom of the scoop. Asaforesaid, both ends of the scoop are adjustable cutting-ends. Each ofsaid cutting-ends D is what may be considered a hinged or pivotedextension of the scoop-bottom, provided with a front knife-edge andhaving lateral upright cxtensions or flanks d which embrace and areadjustably connected to thesides of the scoop. Functionally bothadjustable ends are the same; that is, whichever way the scoop ishauled, its advancing cutting-end when lowered and drawn against theground will cause the scoop to load itself, and wlfen raised willpresent an upward incline which will cause the scoop to ride freely overthe ground and over obstructions. The cuttingedges may be formed on thehinged-members or may be separate pieces secured thereto. For bracingand limiting the hinged cutting ends in their pivotal movements,

The respective flanks d opposite the respec- By means of tive latchesare shown having a brace of studs e 6 adapted to be detachably engagedby a forked lever E, shown in dotted lines in Fig: 2, for manipulatingthe cutting-ends.

A tail gate F retains the load in transit and ejects'it from the scoopat the desired place of unloadin This is done as aforesaid by means 0the sliding of tail-gate relative to thescoop The tail-gate is shownprovided with angularlydisposed sidemembers or flanks 'f, the forwardlower corners of Which cut off obliquely to the bottom of the scoop. Thesides of the scoop are or may be provided with inwardly-extendingflanges a. Said flanges provide guides overlying the side-members f ofthe tail-gate, the lower edges of which rest upon the bottom of thescoop. A rope or cable f is attached to the tail-gate and has an eye ffor engagement by the hook of either of the main draft cables.Preferably said rope or cable f, or bridle connections therefrom,connect to three points of the tailgate; two of the rope-lengths beingattached at opposite ends and near the top of the tail-gate, and thethird being medially attached near the bottom.

The operation generally stated is as follows; Assume that Fig. 1 showsthe scoo about to start in the direction in which 1t will be hauled bythe cable B which will therefore be temporarily a forward-draft cable.During the initial travel the front cutting-end D being depressed willenter the ground and cause the earth to be gathered into the scoop. Whenthe scoop is full or loaded, said front cuttin -end is then raised andheld by its latch and durin the continued hauling by the forward-dra tcable B the upward lnclination of the front of the scoop keeps itscutting-edge out of the ground and enables the scoop to mount upon andride over. ordinary obstructions as well as to be readilydrawn over mudand soft ground. When the place of unloadin is reached, the pull uponthe forward-dra t cable B is discontinued and said cable is detachedfrom the bail b and connected to the tail-gate F by hooking it to therope or cable f of said tail-gate. If the rearwarddraft cable 0 be nowrestrained and the forward-draft cable B be pulled the scoop will remainstationary and the tail-gate will be pulled forward and if desiredentirely out of the scoop. Thus the load is ejected 'or pushed out ofthe scoop, de osited in front of it, and the scoop cleaned y means ofthe scraping action of the tail-gate. As will be readily understood, thesame results can be obtained by restraining the forwarddraft cable B'while drawing the scoop backward by pull of the rearward-draft cable C,in which event the tail-gate is held relatively stationary and the scoopis drawn away from it until finally the tail-gate is out of the thefront cutting-end while elevated; theretween two embankments, or forgrading or fore when desired the tail-gate can be pulled out of thescoop over the raised cutting-end.

During the forward haul the tail-gate is however prevented from passingout the rear of the scoop by the seating of the sidemembers f betweenthe flanges a, and the bottom of the scoop, which form guide-ways forsaid side-members. These guide-ways prevent the tail-gate from beingturned and pushed up the rear elevated cutting-end by the in-comingearth.. After the load has been ejected, the scoop in its normal uprightposition can be readily returned to the place of loading by pull of therearward-draft cable C, for the rear cutting-end being secured in raisedposition the return of the scoop will be free and unimpeded. If howeverthe scoop is used for excavating beotherwise working between oppositeplaces where the ground is to be filled in or raised,.

the tail-gate can be replaced in the scoop in reverse position, and, theother or rear cutting-end being depressed at the beginning of therearward haul, the same operations of loading, transporting and finallyejecting the load can be performed in precisely the same manner underpull of the rearwarddraft cable C. In other words, the tail-gate F canbe placed in the scoop so as to face either end and be operated byeither of the draft-cables according to the direction in which the scoopis being hauled.

The shovel-scrape G shown in Figs. 5 and 6, which is adapted to fitslidably within the scoop and transversely thereof, and which also has abridle rope or cable g connected to its opposite ends and is providedwith a suitable handle g, may be used for ejecting the load, where thescoop is used without a tail-gate, in the following manner: When thescoop is used Without the tail-gate, the earth loads into the scoop overits depressed front cutting-end, which is raised in due time, and theload is held in the scoophy the opposite or rear elevated cutting-end.When the is then brought to an upright position and in such position ispulled throughout the scoop and pushes out the loadand carries it onwardas far as desired. During this movement of the shovel-scrape, the scoopis restrained by the other cable; and, as stated in the description ofthe tail-gate, the shovelscrape could be restrained by one cable and thescoop moved relatively thereto with the same result. When the load hasbeen pushed out of the scoop by the shovel-scrape, the,

place the handle of the shovel-scrape can be I quickly let fall when theload has been carried to the desired point. Where the scoop is used forexcavating, hauling and unloading during both of its opposite runs,there may conveniently be one of the shovelscrapes at each of the placesof unloading, to be used respectively when the scoop reaches itsopposite destinations. The handle of the shovel-scrape may be an uprightbar as in Fig. 5 or a yoked cross-bar as in Fig. 6.

The shovel-scrape has beendescribed in connection with the scoop.Itgrnayliowever be used independently of the as an implement for gradingor smoothingoif surfaces. The implement shown in Fig. 5 'is adapted foruse by one person: whereas the form shown in Fig. 6 is perhaps thebette' construction and arrangement. as may be.

within the spirit and scope of my invention,

as set forth in thefollowing claims.

Reference is hereby made to my application, Serial No. 474,534, forpatent of even date herewith, for a system and apparatus of a similarcharacter wherein I have set forth a power and cable system to which the1 scoop or scraper herein set forth is 'equally applicable. Thedisclosure in my other application in reference to the power and cablesystem may therefore be made a art hereof.

I claim as my invention and cure by Letters Patent:

1. In excavating apparatus, the combination of a scoop, power-mechanismand cables operated thereby and connected to the scoop for hauling it inopposite directions, and means operated by said cables for ejecting theload from the-scoop without dumping.

2. In excavating apparatus, the combination of a scoop, power-mechanismand cables operated thereby and connected to the scoop for hauling it inopposite directions, the scoop having opposite scooping ends andmaintaining its normal posit-ion during both its runs, and meansoperated by said cables for ejecting the load from the scoop at the endsof its runs.

3. A scoop having its end closure or tailesire to sef gate movable tooperate as a pusher to eject a load from the scoop.

4. The combination of a scoop with oppo- I load-ejector movable withinthe scoop and tached to opposite ends of the scoop, the

and maintaining the position 0 adapted to push out its load,draft-cables atcable by which the scoop is hauled to the place ofunloading being adapted to be disconnected from the scoop and attachedto said load-ejector which. is thereby caused to operate by pulling onecable while restraining the other cable.

7. A scoop having lateral inside guideways and a slidable tail-gateadapted to operate as a load-ejector and having angular side-membersworking in said uide-ways i said tailgate.

8. A scoop having its forward end adapted to be inclined upward andhaving lateral inside guide-ways, and a tail-gate operable as aload-ejector and having side members working in said guide-ways andadapted to ride up said inclined end.-

9. A scoop having its forward end adapted to be inclined upward andhaving lateral inturned flan es, a tail-gate operable as a slidingload-e ector and having angular forwardly-extending side-members workingbetween said flanges and the bottom of the scoop, said side-membershaving their lower forward corners oblique or beveled to ride up saidinclined end which extends beyond the said flanges.

10. A scoop adapted to be hauled and to operate forwar'd and backwardand having opposite adjustable cutting-ends adapted to be raised at anupward inclination.

11. A scoop adapted to operate when hauled either forward or backwardand having opposite cutting-ends and a tail-gate movable from end to endof the scoop.

12. A scoop adapted to travel forward and backward and having oppositecutting-ends hinged or pivoted to the scoo and adjustable to aninclination either a ove or below the plane of the bottom of the scoop,and means for securingthe cutting-ends in their elevated positions.

directions and having opposite cutting-ends hinged or pivoted to thescoop and adjustable to an inclination above the plane of the bottom ofthe scoop, and a tail-gate mountedin the scoop to move longitudinallythereof to push out material contained in the scoop, the tailate and thescoop having cooperating portions which hold the tailate in properposition when on the bottom 0 the scoop and permit said tail-gate in itsloadejecting movement to mount and ride along the inclined forward ordischarge-end but prevent the tail-gate from mounting the mclinedopposite or rear end. v

14. A scoop having op osite cutting-ends and adapted to be hauledackward and forward and provided with bails connected at its oppositeends and adapted for draft-cable attachment.

15. The combination with a scoop, of a load-ejector movablelongitudinally of the scoop and adapted'to push out the load, anddraft-cables detachably connected to op 0- site ends of the scoop andeither draft ca le adapted to be detached from the scoop and attached tothe load-ejector.

16. The combination with a-scoo of a tail-gate operable as aload-ejector s dablymounted 1n the scoop and having bridledraft-connections ada ted for connectlon to the hauling cable of t escoop.

in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES L. HOPKINS.

Witnesses AL. C. KAMMER,

S. E. GALIBER.

13. A scoop adapted to travel in opposite In testimony whereof I aifixmy signature,

